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240D Road Trip Checklist
So I'm getting ready to take a road trip in my 240D. Upstate NY to New Orleans with side trips. Total trip distance will be 1700 miles or so each way. I have put a list of maintenance items that I have gleaned from previous posts below. Anyone who has things they think I should add to it would be greatly appreciated.
In terms of the car...its a 77 240D. Odometer is broken at 144K and the engine was swapped this year with an '82 with unknown mileage. No real info on PO maintenance, except that it has a new clutch and a WVO system that is out of order but will be put back together for the trip. I have had the car about two months, and for the last month have driven it an hour each way to work (3x a week) with no real problems. I can do the trip in little stints (three hours then let engine cool for 20 minutes or so) and that would be fine cause I'm not in a hurry. Ok, heres the list... Fluids/Filters: Oil, Rear Diff, Power Steering, Coolant (new radiator and flush already done) Valve adjustment Timing Chain Stretch Head Gasket Alignment/Tires Any other thoughts?? |
#2
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This is always fun to use
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1991 560 SEL / 185k miles 1992 750il / 17k miles - project car |
#3
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Why a head gasket? And why stop? If the engine is not overheating there is no reason for either.
I would keep a few extra quarts of oil with you though and check the oil level at each fill up. Even if you don't notice a consumption of oil now you might notice one on the trip. If I were you I would just do an oil change if needed, replace your glow plugs since you will be driving in the winter, check to make sure your tires are in good shape, keeps some oil with you and enjoy your drive! |
#4
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I would check all hoses real well. Bring tools for emergency repairs and stash a key onboard in case you loose it. For cold weather travels I usually pack a sleeping bag.
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#5
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I drove the first 300,000 miles of my second 240D all over five states without even carrying a toolbox and she never let me down. Just see that she's properly maintained, carry a little extra oil and if you really want to be safe carry a fuel filter just in case of a bad tank of fuel.
Enjoy the trip.
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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual 2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution |
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Quote:
Do you have a Piper Super Cub?
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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual 2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution |
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Honda C70, C100
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#8
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... you are going to "repair" a broken WVO kit prior to a trip... why? how are you going to get fuel for the thing on the go? or are you bringing enough extra fuel for 3400 miles of driving...
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!! 1987 300TD 1987 300TD 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere! |
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I'd get an extra voltage regulator. $20 or so.
Technically, I suppose you can keep going with a failed one so long as you're not using your lights, heater, windshield wipers, AC, or stereo. It's a quick and easy fix to swap one out. Obtaining one, however, in a small town parts store might take a day or two. So keep one in the trunk along with some extra oil and a splash of coolant if need be. I'm prepping mine to go the other way this spring. I'm driving to upsate NY to meet the original owner and trying to make my 240 look and drive as good as new. BTW, if you don't want to tackle the odometer youself, it runs about $100 to have it fixed. I shipped mine out to a place in TX. Having an odometer is incredibly useful on these long trips to account for fuel economy and any oil consumption. Establishing a baseline is important to keeping tabs on long term health.
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1974 240D "Boldie" 170K.- New timing chain/freshly rebuilt IP/replaced valve seals/injectors/upgraded stereo/new Bilsteins with Yokohamas/fresh paint and rocker panels plus lots of welds. |
#10
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I too have to wonder why the headgasket? This is not normal maintenance, unless there is a problem. Letting it cool every few hours makes me think you have a cooling issue? Of course this would tie into the headgasket, if in fact the headgasket is the cooling issue.
Having taken long trips on veggie in my truck, I can say getting it working just before a trip spells trouble. Getting good fuel on the road can be a real problem. I carried a 275 gallon tote and pre arranged for clean wvo. Your going to be limited to 20-30 gallons because of weight. 8 pounds per gallon. I am not saying no don't do it, but think it through. I helped a young couple in Montana with a Dodge on wvo. He was headed for Alabama, or at least trying to. His fuel line had a very small leak just before the filter so was sucking air. Took a bit to find it. It was cold and windy, and the middle of no where. He was happy to load me up on veggie oil for getting him going again.
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1977 240D turbo |
#11
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All good advice, I would take basic tools, combo wrenches, sockets, mid range sizes not all they make. Oil is a must, gallon of water if you must, and diffenently a warm sleeping bag, warm coat, hat/gloves.
Might want to test the battery with gravity tester. LarryBible may go to church more often I, so I would take some tools. It works for him, so God Bless. C182, if you are wondering. Good Luck and enjoy the trip.
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Gary Experience is something you get, Just after you needed it.... '99 E300 295K, '83 300D 220K, '75 240D 185K sold '80 MCI Bus Conv DD 6V92TA, w/4 cyl. Kubota diesel GenSet 12.5KW |
#12
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Stuff to check prior and/or take along:
Fuses, particularly a GP fuse. A shop manual on CD, or at least the URL of an online source so you can look stuff up. Maybe replace belts, if you have no history on when last done. 46 mm socket - or check tank screens before you go. Some spare fuel line Have battery tested for capacity How's the block heater cord? Spare key in wallet. Check the cigarette lighter before you go for charging your phone. Paper maps. Big piece of cardboard or a tarp, just in case you have to lay down on a cold wet roadside. From NY in a '77, how's the rust near the jackpoints? Verify working jack and lug wrench. On a 30 y.o. diesel with limited history and a two month track record, having AAA would be prudent. Start a thread with a major city itinerary and approximate schedule. People can chime if you'll be in their area and you need help or an address for a part. |
#13
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a good phone and some cash
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#14
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Bring some of that thin cardboard stuff that you can cut to make into any gasket you might need. I had a thermostat go bad on a cross country trip in my 79 240d. I had to use a swiss army knife and a pop tart box to make a new gasket for the housing and drove the rest of the way without a thermostat. Besides the fact that my friends were totally impressed and called me McGyver for the rest of the trip, it was a less than ideal repair. ALSO: never leave home without extra filters unless you can personally vouch for the inside of your fuel tank. Which, unless you've had the tank removed and cleaned, you probably can't. I also had my aux fan stop working, which I was able to fix using some extra wire I had in the trunk for an aftermarket stereo install. I just hot-wired the fan straight from the battery(temporary!), your car may or may not run at a good operating temp without the aux fan, I was driving in July. Just bring as much stuff as you can without making the back of your car scrape on the ground. Breaking down in the middle of nowhere sucks, and our cars are older than dirt.
AAA is your friend. Seth. |
#15
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Bring another car for good measure
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